Hungry NorthPort craves for respect

NorthPort has reached the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) semifinals for just the third time in franchise history and first in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Four more wins and the Batang Pier will make a breakthrough finals appearance.

Still, not many consider NorthPort a serious title contender.

Not even after dominating the elimination round and knocking out last year’s runner-up Magnolia without the Batang Pier needing the use of their twice-to-beat quarterfinal appearance.

“We have a chip on our shoulder that people don’t talk about NorthPort even if we’re (the) No. 1 (seed),” forward Will Navarro said following the Batang Pier’s 113-110 victory over the eighth-seeded Hotshots Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

NorthPort did not waste any time disposing of Magnolia to break the curse of squandering playoff incentives — which happened to the team twice, including the first time against Star (Magnolia) during the 2015 Governors’ Cup quarters. The franchise reached the semis for the first time in six years or since the 2019 Governors’ Cup.

The Batang Pier actually came back from 14 points down at halftime to assert their mastery over the squad they beat in the elimination round.

“It’s about team effort. I’m just happy that everyone, like in the second half, we shared the ball. That’s a key factor. Everybody’s effort is seen on the court,” said Navarro, who had 15 points the last time out.

It was an impressive run for NorthPort, which ended the elims with a 9-3 win-loss record and a sweep of San Miguel Corporation’s troika of perennial contenders in dethroned San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, but it seems not enough to silence doubters.

The Batang Pier, however, have learned to tune out outside noises and just focus on the task at hand.

At this point, NorthPort is hungry for more.

“We’re the underdogs here no matter what happens,” the former Ateneo de Manila University forward said.

“So, we’re not satisfied here. We want more.”

The Batang Pier will face the winner of the other quarters pairing between Ginebra and Meralco in the best-of-seven semifinals later this month.

The PBA will take a two-week break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ buildup and campaign in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.